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February 8, 2006
Scheckter raises more than $30,000 through raffle
IndyCar Series driver Tomas Scheckter’s raffle to help pay for his cousin’s cochlear implant surgery raised more than $30,000 with Sasenndra Meka from Huntsville, Ala. winning an autographed 2004 Panther Racing helmet. “My progress has been remarkable,” Jaki Scheckter told Panther Racing’s website. “I’m used to (hearing) noise, but still need to understand speech sounds so I can be comfortable to listen. Still a long way to go. It may take up to a year before I’m comfortable listening to speech.”
Jaki Scheckter, who accompanied his cousin to various IndyCar Series events over the last four seasons, underwent the life-changing surgery several months ago. He is now working with a speech therapist to help speed up the process of getting him comfortable and adjusted to his new lifestyle.
“So far this is starting to have an impact on my life,” he said. “However, I can’t imagine what will happen yet. Only now can I start to imagine (what it will be like) when I feel comfortable with speech, speaking on the phone, listening to the radio.”
The entire Scheckter family has made a new group of friends since Tomas Scheckter started the raffle late last year. One of those friends, The Gift of Hearing Foundation (www.giftofhearingfoundation.org), is dedicated to improving the lives of cochlear implant patients and those who have profound hearing loss.
Donations poured in after the original announcement, and the more than $31,415 that was raised came from 21 states and four countries.
Source: http://www.paddocktalk.com/news/html/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=27061
Posted by 4HL on February 8, 2006 7:36 AM
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